Ceremonial Military Swords
CEREMONIAL MILITARY SWORDS
Air Force Shop is an official Defence Recognised Supplier to the Australian Defence Forces. We understand your requirements-whether you are a serving military member or an astute military collector, you demand unrivalled quality and the finest workmanship in collectables and memorabilia.
Which is why Air Force Shop - one of Australia's most reputable suppliers of exquisite military memorabilia and collectables - invites you to peruse our superb collection of blades from one of the world's leading sword makers - Windlass Steelcrafts, which is an ISO accredited sword maker.
Windlass Swords
Our sword collection is by Windlass Sword Company. Established in 1945, Windlass is the only company in the world that produces every pattern military sword, scabbard, and lance in current use by the three arms of the British Armed Forces. Windlass Sword Company now supplies military swords, lances, and related accoutrements to every arm of the British Armed Forces as well as to officers and defence departments in Europe, Asia, and the Commonwealth.
Air Force Swords
Air Force Officer's Sword
Like its counterparts in the older and traditional armed forces, the Royal Air Force Officer's sword puts elegance and distinction at the forefront of design.
Carried by RAF Commissioned Officers since its design and adoption by the Air Ministry in 1925, the sword has a single-edged straight blade with gold-plated brass hilt, white fish-skin grip and a brass pommel in the form of an eagle. A stamped gold-plated brass cartouche bears the albatross emblem of the RAF.
While also available in below Air Rank, the officers of Air Rank and above version carries more ornate engraved gold-plated mounts on the blacked rawhide scabbard. The ladies sword is shorter and lighter, but retains every aspect of the workmanship and beauty of the standard blade.
The Royal Air Force Officer's sword is available in standard size and a slightly smaller ladies' size.
Available in both King and Queen Cypher.
VIEW ALLCeremonial Military Sword Accessories
We have a large range of accessories to complement your sword including stands, scabbards, knots and more.
Scabbards
Every magnificent Windlass comes with a scabbard that is as distinctive, ornate and precious as the blade which it protects. The authentic and traditional designs complement their partner swords, and are marked by a sophisticated and under-stated classic styling.
The mirror-polished steel scabbards are nickel or gold-plated, individually hand-assembled and quality-assured by the most stringent testing. Wood or fibre-lined, they will retain their shape and resist warping and twisting.
The leather Sam Browne scabbards are traditionally made from close straight grained wood and covered with high quality leather, stitched with a waxed thread and coloured to match the sealed pattern.
Each scabbard is approximately 25mm longer than its sword.
While the purchase of your sword includes the matching scabbard, you may also purchase replacement Windlass scabbards individually.
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Knots
Highly decorative and an essential military blade accessory, the sword knot is the perfect finish to your investment.
Evolving from its practical origins centuries ago of looping around a swordsman's wrist and securing his grip to the hilt to prevent loss of his blade in battle, the sword knot is now a mandatory, but ornamental and decorative accessory for service personnel. For active service the knot is a classic leather strap, while full dress versions are elaborate gold or silver tassels in patterns signifying a regiment or unit.
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Belts and Slings
For those occasions when your word must be worn our belts and slings are a must. Made to the highest standards they are ideal for parade wear.
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Frogs
Our high quality full-grained leather frogs are an essential addition to your fine Windlass blade. Sword frogs attach to the Sam Browne belt and suspend the sword when worn for ceremonial purposes.
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Leather Sword Bags
Protect your investment with our genuine leather sword bags. Ideal protection for when your sword is being stored or transported.
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Display Stands
Our sword stands are designed specifically for your ceremonial military sword. The stand allows the sword and scabbard to be displayed. The front of the base is an ideal spot to place a personalised engraved plate.
VIEW ALLMiniature Ceremonial Military Swords
These beautifully boxed miniature swords retain all the detail of the full-sized versions. They are manufactured to the same exacting standards and with the same traditional and British Ministry of Defence required components as their full-sized counterparts. They make a perfect companion for the standard-sized swords or as a collection in their own right. Each miniature ceremonial military sword comes in a handsome leatherette covered gift box. Ideal for presentation gifts.
Miniature Ceremonial Military Sword Stand
Our miniature sword stands are designed specifically for your miniature ceremonial military sword. The stand allows the sword and scabbard to be displayed. The front of the base is an ideal spot to place a personalised engraved plate.
Stainless steel or high-carbon steel
Air Force Shop's swords are available in either high carbon steel or stainless steel. Outwardly swords made of these different materials look virtually identical, so what is the difference?
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is made by alloying chromium and steel. To be classified as stainless the chromium content must be 12% or greater. The chromium protects the steel from corrosion (rust) by forming a protective layer of chromium oxide. This makes stainless steel easier to maintain however, in terms of sword performance, it has its drawbacks. The addition of chromium makes the steel more brittle, which means it is more likely to break if stressed, although this is only a major consideration if the sword is intended to be used in a combat situation.
High Carbon Steel
High carbon steel is the traditional material for the forging of military swords. High carbon steel is steel with a carbon content of between 0.6% and 0.95%. High carbon steel swords are less likely to break and hold an edge better but require more maintenance than stainless steel swords. The blade of a carbon steel sword should be lightly oiled with a mineral oil or a sewing machine oil. You should always avoid touching the blade of a high carbon steel sword with bare hands as the acids in your skin can cause rust. Never store a high carbon steel sword in its scabbard as this can trap moisture.
Ceremonial Military Swords
Air Force Shop is an official Defence Recognised Supplier to the Australian Defence Forces. We understand your requirements-whether you are a serving military member or an astute military collector, you demand unrivalled quality and the finest workmanship in collectables and memorabilia.
Which is why Air Force Shop - one of Australia's most reputable suppliers of exquisite military memorabilia and collectables - invites you to peruse our superb collection of blades from one of the world's leading sword makers - Windlass Steelcrafts, which is an ISO accredited sword maker.
Used by and made to the exact specifications of the Australian Defence Forces and the British Ministry of Defence, Windlass swords ensure the highest standards of craftsmanship by using traditional manufacturing techniques and individual hand-assembled. Blades are forged from a single billet of high-carbon or stainless steel, hand-ground, hardened and tempered, and polished to a mirror finish before acid-etching with their distinctive, ornate patterns.
Each sword's hilt or guard is cast in brass or pressed in steel before shaping, mirror-polishing and gold or nickel electro-plating. The grip core is carved from wood and covered in ray-skin before being bound with gold or silver-plated wire.
Your sword is superbly finished by the inclusion of hand-made scabbards produced from rawhide leather or wood covered with pig or goat-skin. A team of inspectors certifies your magnificent sword through exhaustive and demanding tests so you are assured it is to the highest quality standards demanded by both tradition and Commonwealth Armed Forces.
So, whether you are selecting a precious blade for your uniform; to collect; or as a unique Christmas gift that will be treasured forever, all Air Force Shop swords provide you with unrivalled quality and value for money.
Air Force Shop offers all our discerning clients a 100% money back guarantee on the quality of each sword, scabbard, and boxes and stands for our miniatures. Your investment in a precious Windlass sword is also supported by a Royal Warrant of Appointment.
While we are confident we offer the most affordable prices, we also extend to you our price guarantee, where Air Force Shop will match or beat any advertised price*.
*Proof of lower advertised price must be presented to Air Force Shop to ensure you receive the benefits of our price guarantee.
Stainless steel or high-carbon steel
Air Force Shop's swords are available in either high carbon steel or stainless steel. Outwardly swords made of these different materials look virtually identical, so what is the difference?
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is made by alloying chromium and steel. To be classified as stainless the chromium content must be 12% or greater. The chromium protects the steel from corrosion (rust) by forming a protective layer of chromium oxide. This makes stainless steel easier to maintain however, in terms of sword performance, it has its drawbacks. The addition of chromium makes the steel more brittle, which means it is more likely to break if stressed, although this is only a major consideration if the sword is intended to be used in a combat situation.
High Carbon Steel
High carbon steel is the traditional material for the forging of military swords. High carbon steel is steel with a carbon content of between 0.6% and 0.95%. High carbon steel swords are less likely to break and hold an edge better but require more maintenance than stainless steel swords. The blade of a carbon steel sword should be lightly oiled with a mineral oil or a sewing machine oil. You should always avoid touching the blade of a high carbon steel sword with bare hands as the acids in your skin can cause rust. Never store a high carbon steel sword in its scabbard as this can trap moisture.
Windlass Swords
It's factories, which have been audited and approved by the UK Ministry of Defence Quality Department, design and manufacture in strict accordance with the latest UK MoD specifications. Windlass is now the only sword company in the world producing every part of it's products, using traditional methods, in it's own factory.
Heading up the company is Malcolm Ordever, the former General Manager of Wilkinson Sword, with over 40 years of experience in the sword industry. As one of the country's leading experts on British military swords, he is very happy, if required, to give advise to officers on regimental/corps sword regulations.
Besides the military swords, Windlass Sword Company can also supply other products produced in the Windlass Steelcafts factory, such as presentation swords, miniature swords, kukris, medieval swords, shields, and medieval armour.
Windlass Sword also has a UK workshop based in South Wales where they offer a sword refurbishment service taking older swords up to parade condition. At this workshop, they also offer a full engraving service where regimental/corps crests, family crests, and personalised inscriptions can be added to sword blades.